The Argentinean government will allocate 92 trillion pesos for social benefits in the upcoming year, as outlined in the 2026 Budget Law. These benefits include pensions, family allowances, PAMI (the national health program for retirees), and non-contributory pensions, as well as social programs. The total budget expenditures for 2026 amount to 148.1 trillion pesos, of which 62% will be dedicated to social benefits. The resources for this key area are managed by the Ministry of Human Capital, led by Minister Sandra Petovello. The largest component of the social spending is pensions, both contributory and non-contributory, totaling 71 trillion pesos, which is equivalent to 6.9% of GDP. For family allowances, 10.1 trillion pesos (1% of GDP) will be allocated. Unlike pensions, the government does not intend to adjust these benefits for inflation, as established in Article 73 of the budget. The government aims to pass the budget law during the extraordinary sessions to be held between December 10 and 31, and is therefore seeking agreements with sympathetic governors to secure its passage in Congress. According to Argentine News Agency, the scheme designed by La Libertad Avanza (LLA) is to get a report from the Budget Commission on December 10 and debate the initiative in the Chamber of Deputies between the 11th and 12th, to then turn it into law in the Senate before Christmas, avoiding sessions during the holidays. Opposition sectors have called for maintaining the mobility of family allowances, the Universal Child Allowance, the Disability Allowance, and the Pregnancy Allowance, which will depend on future increases granted by the government. Spokespersons for the ruling party told the Argentine News Agency that the government will maintain its position that these allowances will no longer be adjusted for inflation. Additionally, 3.6 trillion pesos are planned for transfers to PAMI, of which nearly 2 trillion will be used 'due to the deduction made on the income of retirees and pensioners,' and the remaining 1.6 trillion for financial assistance from the Treasury, according to the Budget Office. For social programs, 7.4 trillion pesos will be allocated, which is two trillion more than the resources allocated throughout 2025, implying a 20% increase compared to this year.
